This is an attempt to translate into
English the thirty-ninth letter in the second volume of the great book Maktûbât, by Hadrat Imâm
Rabbânî 'quddisa sirruh'. Written for Sayyid 'Abd-ul-Bâqî Sârenkpûrî, the
blessed letter explains terms such as 'Ashâb-i-yemîn', 'Ashâb-i-shimâl', and 'Sâbiqûn'.
Hamd (praise and gratitude) be to Allâhu
ta’âlâ. Salâm (salutations) be to His chosen slaves. May Allâhu ta’âlâ bless
you with making progress in the right path!
People who remain behind zulmânî, dark,
gloomy curtains are called 'Ashâb-i-shimâl'. Those who
have passed over those curtains and are therefore behind curtains of nûr
(lights, radiations of light), are called 'Ashâb-i-yemîn'. And those who have
passed over curtains of nûr, too, are the 'Sâbiqûn'. They have passed over
curtains of creatures and curtains of wujûb, and attained to the 'asl (essence
of existence). They reject names, attributes, shu'ûns and i'tibârs, [i.e.
things considered,] and anything whatsoever other than the Dhât-i-ilâhî (The
Person of Allâhu ta’âlâ). The Ashâb-i-shimâl are disbelievers and shaqîs. The
Ashâb-i-yemîn are Muslims and the Awliyâ. And the Sâbiqûn are Prophets
'alahim-us-salawât-u-wa-t-taslîmât'. A few of those who follow in the footsteps
of these superior people have been honoured with this grand fortune. The
greater ones of the Sahâba hold a majority among those honoured spiritual
elites of ummats. And among the non-Sahâba, fewer personages have been honoured
with this highest spiritual state. These people are accounted to be among the
Sahâba and have attained to the kamâlât (perfections) of Prophethood. It might
have been in this connection that our Prophet "alaihi wa 'ala alihissalawâtu
wa-t-taslîmât' stated: "Are the
earlier ones or the later ones more beneficent? It is not known for
certain." It is true,
On the other hand, that he stated as follows in another hadîth-i-sherîf: "The
most beneficent of all times is the time wherein I live." However,
whereas ages and times are meant in this latter hadîth-i-sherîf, the former
one concerns people. Scholars of Ahl as-Sunna
unanimously state
that "With the exception of Prophets "alaihim-us-salawât-u-wa-t-taslîmât',
no one is superior to Abû Bakr and 'Umar, and no one is superior to Abû Bakr.
He is the highest of the highest ones of this Umma (Muslims)." 'Umar
'radiy-Allâhu 'anh' became superior because he followed in the footsteps of Abû
Bakr as-Siddîq; he surpassed others because he adapted himself to the Siddîq.
He was therefore called 'Khalîfa-i-Siddîq', and
his name was mentioned as 'Khalîfa-i-Khalîfa-i-Rasûlullah (Successor of the
Successor of the Messenger of Allah)," during Khutbas. Hadrat Abû Bakr
as-Siddîq is the cavalryman in the lead. Hadrat 'Umar-ul-Fârûq 'radiy-Allâhu
'anhumâ' is his groom, or reservist, so to speak. And such a wonderful groom,
too, who has perfectly adapted himself to the cavalryman, so that he has become
the cavalryman's partner in his superiorities.
Let us come back
to the subject we have been discussing! The Sâbiqûn are dissimilar to the Ashâb-i-yemîn
or to the Ashâb-i-shimâl. They are beyond zulmânî and nûrânî matters. Their
books, [i.e. deed-books,] are unlike the books of the other two. And their
accounts, on the Rising Day, will be unlike the accounts of the others They
will be served a special treatment. They will be shown exceptional courtesy and
kindness. For, the Ashâb-i-yemîn, as well as the Ashâb-i-shimâl, are quite far
away from the kamâlât that these elite people have been honoured with. The
Awliyâ 'qaddas-Allâhu ta’âlâ asrârahum-ul-'azîz', as well as other Believers,
are incapable of comprehending their hidden superiorities. The symbols written
in different letters in the Qur'ân al-kerîm
signify the hidden superiorities allotted for them. The symbolical âyat-i-kerîmas in the Qur'ân
al-kerîm are the treasures signifying the high grades they have
obtained. Attaining to the 'asl, they have rid themselves of shades and
visions. Those who have attained to the dhils (shades) are quite unaware of the
rank allotted for these superiors. These persons are the (ones called)
muqarrabs, the ones who are close to the 'Asl. Comfort and compassion are for
these people. It is these people who are safe against the fear of the Rising
Day. Unlike others, they will not be frightened by the horror of the Rising
Day.
O our Allah, Most
Great! Make us lovers of them! For, on that day every person will be with the
person they love. As an alms for the Master of all Prophets, do accept this du'â
of ours "alaihi wa 'alâ âlihi wa 'alaihim wa 'alâ âli kullin as-salât-u-wa-t-taslîmât-u-wa-t-tehiyyât-u-wa-l-barakât'.
Âmîn.